Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
08:08
Increasing Pulmonary Artery Pulsatile Flow Improves Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension in Piglets
Published on: May 11, 2015
Respiratory changes during prolonged increased intra-abdominal pressure in pigs
1Surgical Research Laboratory, Institute of Surgical Sciences, University of Bergen, Norway. ffgudmun@broadpark.no
Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
|March 18, 2004
Summary
Elevated intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) significantly harms respiratory function. Even moderate increases in IAP can lead to dangerous changes in breathing and lung mechanics.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Critical Care
Background:
- Increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is known to affect thoracic and airway pressures, and reduce lung compliance.
- Previous studies indicate potential respiratory compromise with elevated IAP in various models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific respiratory alterations and arterial blood gas changes in pigs subjected to sustained elevated intra-abdominal pressure (IAP).
- To quantify the impact of different levels of IAP (20 mmHg and 30 mmHg) on respiratory parameters over a 3-hour period.
Main Methods:
- Domestic pigs (n=21) were divided into three groups: control, 20 mmHg IAP, and 30 mmHg IAP.
- Animals were anesthetized and maintained at target IAP levels for 3 hours.
- Respiratory and acid-base parameters were recorded at baseline, 90 minutes, and 180 minutes.
Main Results:
- An IAP of 30 mmHg led to significant hypoxia (decreased pO2) and hypercarbia (increased pCO2), resulting in mild acidosis.
- Both 20 mmHg and 30 mmHg IAP groups exhibited increased airway pressure and decreased lung compliance.
- No significant hypoxia or hypercarbia was observed at 20 mmHg IAP.
Conclusions:
- Sustained intra-abdominal pressure of 20 mmHg or higher for 3 hours is detrimental to respiratory function in this porcine model.
- Elevated IAP significantly impairs respiratory parameters, increases airway pressure, and reduces lung compliance.
- These findings highlight the critical impact of IAP on respiratory mechanics and gas exchange.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Alterations in Respiration II
There are numerous types of normal and abnormal respiration. Based on ventilatory movements, breathing patterns are classified as regular, deep, or shallow. Examples include Biot's breathing, Cheyne-Stokes respiration, Kussmaul's breathing, hyperventilation, and hypoventilation. Each pattern is clinically significant and aids in evaluating patients.
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes include...
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes include...
01:24Pressure Relationships in Thoracic Cavity
Breathing, otherwise known as pulmonary ventilation, is the process of air movement into and out of the lungs. The main mechanisms propelling pulmonary ventilation are atmospheric pressure (Patm), intra-pulmonary (Ppul ) or intra-alveolar pressure (Palv) within the alveoli, and intrapleural pressure (Pip) within the pleural cavity.
Breathing Mechanisms
Both intra-alveolar and intrapleural pressures rely on specific lung properties. The ability to breathe—allowing air to enter the lungs during...
Breathing Mechanisms
Both intra-alveolar and intrapleural pressures rely on specific lung properties. The ability to breathe—allowing air to enter the lungs during...
01:24Pulmonary Ventilation: Inhalation
Pulmonary ventilation is a vital process that ensures the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs. It refers to the movement of air into and out of the lungs, enabling the body to obtain oxygen and remove waste carbon dioxide. In this article, we will explore the intricacies of pulmonary ventilation, including its underlying principles, mechanisms, and the interplay of pressures within the respiratory system.
Boyle's law becomes particularly pertinent when examining respiratory...
Boyle's law becomes particularly pertinent when examining respiratory...
01:17Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation
In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
01:30Acute Respiratory Failure-III
Hypercapnic respiratory failure, also known as Type 2 or ventilatory respiratory failure, is a severe condition characterized by the body's inability to effectively remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the bloodstream. It leads to an arterial CO2 pressure (PaCO2) exceeding 45 mmHg and a blood pH above 7.35. This situation indicates that the body's ventilatory demand, or the ventilation needed to maintain normal PaCO2 levels, surpasses its supply or the maximum gas flow achievable without causing...
01:08Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology
Pneumothorax means the presence of air in the pleural space — the thin potential gap between the visceral and parietal pleura. This condition disrupts the normal pressure balance that keeps the lungs inflated, leading to partial or complete collapse of the affected lung.Normal physiologyUnder normal conditions, the pleural space maintains a slightly negative intrapleural pressure, which keeps the lungs expanded against the chest wall. This negative pressure creates a delicate balance between...